Lord our God, You are the shield and glorious reward of those who walk blamelessly in Your sight. keep us steadfast in Your holy service so that aided by the wise teaching and intercession of Brother Charles of Sezze, we may with hearts open to You run the way of perfect charity.

Saint Charles was known for holiness, simplicity and charity. He was heroic in serving

I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart. She shall respond there as in the days of her youth.

O God of truth, through the Holy Spirit you blessed our sister Margaret with true humility. Teach us that same integrity so that we may constantly turn from our selfishness to your love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

“What marvels the Lord worked for them! What marvels the Lord worked for us: Indeed we were glad” (Ps 126)

“How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live in unity” (Ps 133)

1. At the beginning of this encounter in the Great Synagogue of the Jews of Rome, the Psalms which we have heard suggest to us the right spiritual attitude in which to experience this particular and happy moment of grace: the praise of the

We’re all askingthe theodicy question. How could one -even person of solid faith in Providence–not ask why natural evil happens and why God permits it. In a recent interview Zenit asked the head of the Papal Charitable office, Cor Unum, Josef Cardinal Cordes, about the Haitian earthquake. As a first glance at the matter the Cardinal names something important, namely, if you claim to understand God, then your claim has nothing to do with the personal God of Christianity and that the Christian continues

Lord God, You sanctified the beginnings of the Order of Friars Minor by the glorious struggle of Your holy martyrs Berard and companions. As they did not hesitate to give up their lives for You so may we bear staunch witness to You by our lives.

Saint Berard was the superior of Vitalis, Berard, Peter, Accursius, Adjutus, and Odo, missionaries to Morocco whom we celebrate today. They were martyred on this date in 1220.

Dr. Ralph McInerny‘s condition is not good, but it is far better than rumors have had it. He is in ICU at the new St. Joseph Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN, on oxygen with an intravenous feeding tube. He’s weak and has lost a lot of weight, and he sleeps much of the time.

About the author

Paul A. Zalonski is from New Haven, CT. He is a member of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, a Catholic ecclesial movement, and an Oblate of Saint Benedict. Contact Paul at paulzalonski[at]yahoo.com.